Bentley gives an odd name to its super-premium SUV

Super-premium brand Bentley hasn't produced an SUV yet, but the model's arduous path to showrooms took another twisty turn with the choice Monday of a name that is sure to provoke debates in automotive circles.

The hulking SUV will be called the Bentley Bentayga.

At least that's an improvement over the name of the original prototype, which was subject to derision over its looks that overshadowed any questions about its funny alpha-numeric name. It was the EXP 9 F concept.

Bentley apparently chose the name partly because it has "Bent" — as in Bentley — in it. But there's more.

Though it may sound like some naming company cashed in coming up with this moniker, Bentley spokesman says there's actually a couple of good nature references to Bentayga. One is a mountain in the Canary Islands. And when you lope off the first syllable, Tayga is a word for "snow forest."

It's yet to be seen whether Bentley can keep the zen-like good feelings coming once the actual SUV makes its debut. Like all Bentleys, it's expected to come with glorious craftsmanship in the cabin and a price tag to match.